Both the Senate and the House have passed legislation to avoid the massive 27% cut to Medicare physician fees set for Jan. 1. But the bills don't agree -- and neither do lawmakers on opposite sides of the aisle. Can compromise occur before the cut does?

Courtesy www.johnboehner.house.gov Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) accused the Senate of 'punting the problem into next year.'

Also, in a year-end flurry of activity, the Health and Human Services Department gave states some flexibility in setting up insurance exchanges. They're letting them pick their own benchmark plan and allowing them more discretion with what the plans can include.

Also, the administration finally issued regulations on implementing the Physician Payment Sunshine Act, which requires manufacturers to disclose money and gifts of $10 or more given to doctors.

For details on that and more, listen to this week's Policy & Practice Podcast.

-- Frances Correa (@FMCReporting)

12/19/11  

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